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Gin

Gin has been the drink of choice for statesmen, soldiers, WASPs and even the working class. It has a colorful and dramatic history, which rivals that of any other alcohol. And that’s not to mention the fact that the spirit is once again in vogue and a favorite of mixologists around the world.
While the origins of the clear liquor are somewhat debatable, several hundred years ago, someone, most likely in Holland or Belgium, began to infuse alcohol with juniper berries and a variety of other botanicals. (This spirit was arguably the first flavored vodka.) Gin is still made this way today, and each brand has its own recipe and techniques for infusion. While all gin has some juniper flavor, the other botanicals can include a wide array of herbs, vegetables, flowers, fruits, spices and even tea.

While gin is now a good seller, it was wildly popular in England in the 18th century. By 1720, an estimated 25 percent of all London households produced or sold gin. Fast-forward to the dark days of Prohibition, and gin was once again highly sought-after. The spirit could be made easily and quickly, even in a bathtub. The botanicals also helped to make rough alcohol somewhat more palatable.
Much of the gin sold today, including Beefeater, is the so-called “London dry” style. But there are actually several other varieties, including Plymouth and old Tom, as well as the malty Dutch gin cousin genever, which has just recently been reintroduced to the American market.HOW TO DRINK GIN:
It’s hard to imagine the world of mixology without gin. The spirit is essential for numerous classics. While there are just too many gin drinks to list here, we did have to include at least one reference to the Martini and the Gin & Tonic. Gin’s complex flavor also works very well with citrus and, of course, with both dry and sweet vermouths.

Articles About Gin

This Is How You Build a Great Modern Dive Bar

Lessons from the Best Intentions duo in Chicago.

Try Making These Exciting Twists on the Negroni

No one understands the intersection of drinking and culture quite like the Italians do. From morning to night, there’s a drink for every moment. Go ahead: Drink Italian. It’s a way of life. Legend has it that in 1919 Italian aristocrat Count Camillo Negroni asked a bartender to strengthen his Americano cocktail by adding gin […]

Are Bartending Robots the Future? Or Are They Just Another Fad?

The lowdown on what’s happening with robotics in bars.

Marshmallow Gin is Here To Make Your Last Summer Campfire Epic

We’ve come across some pretty odd spirit flavors over the years—we’re talking gin infused with motorcycle parts, smoked salmon vodka and bacon bourbon. And while most of these make us audibly gasp and scrunch up our faces in disgust, every once in a while, a spirit comes along that we just can’t wait to try. […]

Why Your Favorite Booze Bottles Are Shaped the Way They Are. And Why You Should Care.

There’s a reason!

Northern Ireland Is Going Crazy for Boozy Cocktail-Infused Sausages

Boozy food is nothing new to the Irish. You can find a Guinness stew just about anywhere, and that’s definitely not the only place you’ll find their flagship beer. But a few Northern Ireland butchers are pushing beyond beer and opting for cocktail flavors in their sausages this summer. Irvinestown’s Maguire Meats debuted a Red […]

The Best State for Distilling? Pennsylvania Has Changed from Anti-Distiller to Loving Them.

How the shift happened. And what it means for businesses there.

$13 Aldi Gin Crowned One of the Best in the World

Aldi does it again. If you were skeptical about the discount supermarket, even after its $8 bottle of rosé won similar accolades, Aldi is proving once again that its spirits might just be better than that expensive stuff you’ve been buying. Aldi’s $13 Oliver Cromwell London dry gin received a gold medal at the International […]

Are Martinis Better at Room Temperature?

This bar owner thinks people are serving them too cold.

Why Is There a Clothespin in My Cocktail? A New Trend Is the Reason

Here’s which bars are doing it. And why.

Think You Know Your Italian Digestivos? Say Hello to Mirto, the Pride and Joy of Sardinia

A trip to Sardinia to learn about mirto.

Can the Las Vegas Strip Handle Great Cocktails? Sam Ross Thinks So

The legendary Attaboy bartender talks about The Dorsey’s mission.

Drinking This Classic Cocktail May Be the Cure For Allergy Season

Anybody that struggles with allergies knows how hopeless it can feel to endure the endless battle against itchy eyes, stuffy noses and an eternal cough. But a recent study suggests a solution we’re definitely on board with: crafting a Gin & Tonic. Asthma UK’s study found that clear spirits, like gin and vodka, are relatively […]